Salt Lake City is in the money.
With nearly $9 million more in revenues than last year, Salt Lake Mayor Deedee Corradini is proposing increased spending in nearly every major area of the budget."Frankly, we need the money," Corradini said in an address during the City Council meeting Tuesday night. She said her proposed budget takes care of increased costs beyond the control of city administrators and provides for several "new initiatives."
One of those initiatives is the creation of an Olympic planner on the city's staff.
With a proposed salary of $75,000 a year and $100,000 set aside for Olympic opportunities planning, city officials said the money will help capitalize on the international event.
"(That person) will help us understand what our options and opportunities are," said Roger Black, director of management ser-vices. He said a person whose sole responsibility is looking for ways to make the most of the 2002 Winter Games is needed because all other city employees have other responsibilities.
"The rest of us have been doing it on an assigned basis," Black said. "We need somebody focused on this who stays abreast of the is-sues."
Utah lawmakers created the position of state Olympic coordinator in 1996. The job has been filled by the state auditor, but come July 1, it will become a separate position appointed by the governor.
The Olympic coordinator is responsible for reviewing all contracts between the state and the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. The Legislature got the idea from the state of Georgia, home of the 1996 Summer Games.
Because the city is so financially strong, Corradini said it's time to start paying for infrastructure projects that have been neglected for more immediate needs.
"Over the past five years, our No. 1 priority has been fighting crime," she said. "We have no intention of slacking off. . . . This budget marks the start of an all-out battle against a backlog of infrastructure needs that has been building for a long time."
The mayor hopes to spend more than $131 million on such projects as sidewalk installations and road repairs. She also wants to hire more police dispatchers and spend more money on crime prevention programming at the Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center.
Despite being in the black, city residents will see an increase in the water rates, if the budget is adopted. The proposed 15 percent increase will pay for water main replacements, system upgrades and water storage capacity.
The budget also asks that residents also pay $4 more for garbage collection each month. The increase, Corradini said, is so the city can continue programs like spring cleanup.
The budget also provides for raises for city employees.
The City Council voted to hold a public hearing on the budget May 20 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. If approved, the budget goes into effect July 1. *****
Additional Information
Budget - Salt Lake City
General fund: $124,103,218
1997-98
General fund: $116,813,455
1996-97
Where it comes from:
Property tax: $40 million
Last year: $35 million
Sales tax: $34.8 million
Last year: $30.8 million
Franchise tax: $16.7 million
Last year: $15.9 million
License and permits: $ 8.4 million
Last year: $ 7.5 million
Fund transfers: $ 1.8 million
Last year: $ 1.8 million
Where it goes:
Public safety: $58.3 million
Last year: $53.7 million
Streets & trans: $12.2 million
Last year: $12 million
Parks & golf: $ 7.6 million
Last year: $ 6.9 million
Tax/fee increases:
Water rate fees: 15%
Refuse collection: $4 per household per month